Three Crusaders Named to Preseason All-PFL Team
Monday, July 30, 2018
Three Crusaders Named to Preseason All-PFL Team
Nick Turner is one of three Crusaders on the Preseason All-PFL Team.

The Valparaiso University football team has a trio of representatives on the 2018 Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team, which was announced on Monday.

Senior linebacker Nick Turner (Gurnee, Ill. / Warren Township), senior offensive lineman Tom Schofield (Chicago, Ill. / St. Rita) and junior return specialist Bailey Gessinger (Napanee, Ind. / Northwood) have all garnered preseason recognition.

Turner, a 2017 All-PFL Second Team honoree, was one of two Valpo players and four players in the entire PFL to exceed 100 tackles last year. He finished the season with 101 tackles, 39 solos and averaged 9.2 tackles per game. Turner set a new career high with 13 tackles on Sept. 30 in a home win over Stetson, then matched that with 13 tackles as Valpo won the Hoosier Helmet on Nov. 11 at Butler. He started all 11 games for the Crusaders.

Schofield figures to be a key cog in an experienced offensive line after picking up Second-Team All-PFL accolades a year ago. He started all 11 games for a line that helped Valpo finish tied for 10th nationally in fewest sacks allowed per game at 0.91.

Gessinger makes the preseason all-league team as a return specialist for the second consecutive season. He also enjoyed All-PFL Second Team honors in both 2016 and 2017. Last season, Gessinger led the team with 12 punt returns for 102 yards (8.5 yards per return) and 32 kick returns for 669 yards (20.9 yards per return). Gessinger surpassed 100 kick return yards in back-to-back games for the first time in his collegiate career on Oct. 7 at Campbell (113) and Oct. 14 vs. Marist (111).

The 2018 PFL Preseason Poll will be announced on Tuesday. The Crusaders, who are coming off their best season since 2003, open the new campaign on Sept. 8 at Duquesne.

2018 Preseason All-Pioneer Football League Team

(as selected by PFL head coaches)

Pos.

Player

School

Ht.

Wt.

Yr.

Hometown

OFFENSE (Ties in voting: WR)

WR

Pace Temple (1)

Butler

6-2

200

Sr.

Geneva, Ill.

WR

Steven Doran (2)

Drake

6-3

212

Sr.

Germantown, Wis.

WR

Juston Christian (1)

Marist

6-0

186

Sr.

Owings Mills, Md.

WR

Jarin Higginbotham (2)

Morehead State

6-0

195

RSr.

Liberty Township, Ohio.

QB

Anthony Lawrence (1)

San Diego

6-1

195

RSr.

La Mesa, Calif.

TE

Adam Trautman (2)

Dayton

6-1

225

RSr.

Williamsburg, Mich.

RB

Wesley Dugger (1)

Davidson

6-0

192

So.

Cincinnati, Ohio

RB

Tucker Yinger (1)

Dayton

6-0

191

RSr.

Columbus, Ohio

FB

Zach Nelson (1)

San Diego

6-2

240

RJr.

Danville, Calif.

OL

Bobby Jensen (H)

Butler

6-4

290

RSr.

Plainfield, Ind.

OL

Dakota Sneed (H)

Butler

6-3

285

RSr.

Edinburgh, Ind.

OL

Ben Gauthier (2)

Dayton

6-2

275

Sr.

Avon, Ohio

OL

Jordan Lewinsky (2)

Drake

6-5

290

RSr.

Mequon, Wis.

OL

Daniel Cooney (1)

San Diego

6-8

315

RSr.

Western Springs, Ill.

OL

Tom Schofield (2)

Valparaiso

6-3

285

Sr.

Chicago, Ill.

DEFENSE

DL

Nick Surges (H)

Dayton

6-3

237

RSr.

Naperville, Ill.

DL

Nathan Clayberg (1)

Drake

6-4

282

RSr.

Pella, Iowa

DL

Eddie Zinn-Turner (2)

Marist

6-1

298

RJr.

Malvern, Ohio

DL

Connor Spencer (H)

San Diego

6-3

285

RSr.

Boulder, Colo.

LB

Caysaun Wakeley (H)

Jacksonville

5-11

200

Jr.

Alachua, Fla.

LB

Trevor Tufano (2)

Jacksonville

5-11

210

Jr.

New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

LB

Willie Barrett (1)

Marist

5-11

227

RSr.

Holiday, Fla.

LB

Nick Turner (2)

Valparaiso

6-1

225

Sr.

Gurnee, Ill.

DB

David Leisring (H)

Dayton

6-1

190

Sr.

Cincinnati, Ohio

DB

Sean Lynch (1)

Drake

5-9

181

RSr.

Hawthorn Woods, Ill.

DB

Wes Beans (H)

Marist

5-10

192

RSr.

New Oxford, Pa.

DB

JJ Henderson (2)

Stetson

5-10

161

RSo.

Tampa, Fla.

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK

Drew Bevelhimer (1)

Butler

6-1

185

Jr.

Indianapolis, Ind.

P

Sean Smith (1)

Dayton

6-4

222

Sr.

Avondale, Pa.

RS

Bailey Gessinger (2)

Valparaiso

5-10

165

Jr.

Napanee, Ind.

LS

Matt Tunnacliffe (H)

Dayton

6-3

200

Sr.

West Chester, Ohio

Notes in parentheses: 1-was a first-team selection in 2017, 2-was a second-team selection in 2017, H-was a honorable mention selection in 2017.